One win changed the outlook for Dickinson Trinity's football season.
A 21-14 victory against then No. 2-ranked Devils Lake last Friday looked almost impossible beforehand.
The Titans' win, though, means the team now holds the keys to the Class AA, West Region title.
A victory today against the new No. 2-ranked team -- Bismarck St. Mary's -- puts No. 4-ranked Trinity (3-2 overall, 3-1 West) firmly in the driver's seat for the title. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Bismarck Community Bowl.
"It changes everything," Trinity head coach Randy Gordon said.
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Gordon said the team's attitude this week is about taking that first step against the Saints instead of thinking what could be.
"We want to take advantage of last week," Gordon said.
Trinity can afford to overlook the Saints as its playoff seeding could come down to tonight's game.
After that, its strength of schedule drops off significantly in its final two weeks of the regular season with a visit to Belcourt and a home game against winless Bottineau.
Everything seems to be clicking right now for the Titans.
Their defense isn't giving up big plays and their offense is balanced enough so no one player has to be the playmaker.
Against St. Mary's (5-0, 3-0 West), Gordon said everything needs to fall into place.
"We believe in ourselves and we believe we can do it," Gordon said.
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But Trinity will still be without the services of sophomore lineman Jesse Kubik, who missed last week's game. Two others will be ineligible.
Gordon said plenty of underclassman are able to fill open spots.
"We feel pretty good about it," Gordon said of the bench getting more playing time. "We lose a little poundage. Sometimes that isn't a big thing."
Gordon said the Saints run more of an option-style offense.
"They are a quick, veer-option team," Gordon said.
Quarterback Preston Tescher isn't too bad with his arm, either.
He threw two touchdown passes and went 9 for 14 for 103 yards in the Saints' 30-14 win over Beulah last week. He also ran for a score and led St. Mary's with 66 rushing yards on 13 carries.
"He's the one that runs the show and we have to stop him," Gordon said. "They'll run you to death and then their passing game comes alive."
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The Titans' bend-not-break philosophy on defense has been working in the past two games. Gordon said it has to be that way again.
"We didn't give up the big plays," Gordon said. "That's attributed to us playing four really good quarters. St. Mary's is an optimistic team and they are going to take advantage of you if you make a mistake. They are going to be there and break a big one."
While the Saints haven't blown out any team, Gordon said they can't be taken lightly.
"They're a very legitimate 5-0 team right now," Gordon said.
